rhaps,
they may separate. I think it possible they may choose to support our
credit to a certain point, and let it go no further, but at their will;
to keep it so poised, as that it may be at their mercy. By this, they
will be sure to keep us in their own hands. They write word to the
treasury, that in order to raise money for the February interest, they
were obliged to agree with the subscribers, that Congress should open no
other loan at Amsterdam this year, till this one be filled up, and that
this shall not be filled but by the present subscribers, and they not
obliged to fill it. This is delivering us, bound hand and foot, to the
subscribers, that is, to themselves. Finding that they would not raise
money for any other purposes, without being pushed, I wrote the letter I
enclose you. They answer, as I have stated, by refusing to pay, alleging
the appropriation of Congress. I have written again to press them
further, and to propose to them the payment of thirty thousand florins
only, for the case of our captives, as I am in hopes this may do. In
the close of my letter to them, you will observe I refer them, as to the
article of foreign officers, to the board of treasury. I had, in truth,
received the printed journals a few days before, but had not yet had
time to read them carefully, and, particularly, had not then noted the
vote of Congress of August the 20th, directing me to attend to that
article. I shall not fail to do what I can in it; but I am afraid they
will consider this also as standing on the same ground with the other
contingent articles.

This country, being generally engaged in its elections, affords nothing
new and worthy of communication. The hopes of accommodation between
Turkey and the two empires do not gain strength. The war between Russia
and Denmark on the one hand, and Sweden on the other, is likely also to
go on, the mediation of England being rendered of little force by the
accident to its Executive. The progress of this war, and also of the
broils in Poland, may possibly draw the King of Prussia into it during
the ensuing campaign: and it must, before it be finished, take in this
country, and perhaps England. The ill humor on account of the Dutch
revolution continues to rankle here. They have recalled their ambassador
from the Hague, manifestly to show their dissatisfaction with that
court, and some very dry memorials have lately been exchanged on the
subject of the money this country assum